Time for action

The Way I See It

December 2, 2012

Technically, the official Christmas season "shouldn't" begin until December first. So holding to that belief, I have just today, and today only, to get my dissatisfaction off my chest before I get into the Christmas Spirit. Do you remember that 1976 movie, Network, in which one of the stars, Peter Finch, opened his window and screamed at the top of his lungs, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore?" This statement is the gist of my column today. From here on in, I'm totally in the Christmas spirit.

The election is over and whether or not you're happy with the results is a moot point now. It is what it is. Regardless of your party affiliation or lack thereof, it seems to be the consensus of the people, that our elected officials love to hear themselves talk on TV, make photo-ops everywhere and to some extent just love to play games with us--THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. And like Finch in Network, isn't it about time for "we the people" to shout, "We're mad as hell and we're not gonna take it anymore?"

Here is my plan to do just that. Pass immediately a law called The Congressional Reform Law of 2012. Here is what this law will do for "We the People:"

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John Sheda

Beginning in 2013, each congress person will collect a salary while in office, but will receive NO pay once out of office. No tenure, No pension.

All members of Congress, (past, present, future), will participate in the Social Security System just as you and I do. And Social Security can be used for no other purpose. All funds presently in the Congressional retirement fund must move to Social Security immediately.

Congress will purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans do.

Congress can no longer receive automatic pay raises. A 10% pay raise will be voted on by the people every six years, at election time.

Congress and the President will all be elected to only one 6-year term. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.

Congress must participate in the same health care system that the American people do.They lose their current system.

Members of Congress must abide by the same laws and rules that all Americans do.

All contracts with past & present congress persons are void after January 1, 2013.

I know the devil is in the details, but his workshop is in Washington, D.C. Our Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their one 6-year term, then go home and get back to work. Folks, if we don't start a grassroots revolution to change things, I guarantee you, those in Washington certainly won't. Or are you happy with the way things are now and the direction we're going? Contact Senators Tom Harking & Chuck Grassley and your Representatives and demand change.

That's The Way I See It. How are you seeing it? Let me know at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319-334-4117